The dossier with the Italian opposition to the recognition of the traditional European geographical mention for the Croatian Prošek was sent to the attention of the European Commission this morning. The document was illustrated by the Minister of Agriculture Stefano Patuanelli and by Undersecretary Marco Centinaio who is responsible for the wine sector, during a press conference at the MiPAAF, which was also attended by the presidents of the consortia concerned: Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Doc, Colli Asolani and the Unesco Heritage Association of Hills.
The 14-page dossier specifies the Italian position and the technical, historical and territorial reasons, including the inclusion of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in the UNESCO world heritage list and the incompatibility of the recognition of the traditional Prošek term.
“The reasons why we oppose the traditional Prošek denomination are very solid and represented in the document we sent to the Commission, among the main ones is the question of the homonymy between the Prošek denomination and the Dop”, underlined Minister Patuanelli. “The country system, the system of protection of geographical denominations and the excellence of Italian agri-food production are at risk. There is a risk of institutionalizing Italian sounding ".
“Italy has shown Europe that everyone has made themselves available, from consortia to municipalities”, added Undersecretary Centinaio. “We have produced the best possible document to present in opposition. The Prosecco hills are a heritage of humanity, as well as agricultural as well as cultural, so we cannot think that there is little consideration on the part of Europe ".
Croatia now has 60 days for counter arguments to which Italy represented by the MiPAAF will have the right to counter with all those who have already presented the opposition, including the three consortia, and the regions concerned.